FAQs

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Colic is unusual or excessive crying that has no known cause. It usually begins within the first weeks of life and resolves by two or three months of age. All babies cry. Some cry a lot. Keep in mind that crying is the only form of communication your baby has at the beginning of life. If your newborn is having a hard time settling down, you can try feeding, using a pacifier, rubbing or patting or gently rocking your baby. If your baby has been crying continuously for several hours or truly seems in pain, please contact the office.

Diaper rash is a skin rash that develops in the area beneath the infant's diaper. It can be caused by the irritating wetness, antibiotics (either taken by the child or the breastfeeding mother), diapers that are too tight or rub the skin, or a reaction to soaps or other products. Most diaper rashes can be resolved by changing diapers often to keep the child dry. You can also ask our pediatricians about over the counter creams. Contact our office if symptoms do not go away in a couple of days, if the rash spreads beyond the diaper area, there are any blisters, bumps or sores.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, red, cracked and dry. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. It mainly affects children but can continue into adulthood or start later in life. Some foods such as cow's milk, eggs, nuts as well as pollens and house mites can make the symptoms worse. The cause of eczema is unknown but there are many treatments that can manage the symptoms very well. Knowing your child's eczema triggers is also helpful. If they are food related, it is best to avoid those foods. If house mites are the triggers, using a special pillow and mattress covers can be helpful. Since eczema can become infected, you should call our office right away if the eczema is oozing or crusted or if there is a fever. You should speak to your child's pediatrician and discuss what would work best for your child.

A child's reaction to a bite depends on their sensitivity. If your child suffers a severe reaction, such as difficulty breathing, weakness, collapse or unconsciousness, or has a significant rash all over the body, seek medical attention immediately. Most insect bites are not a serious problem and do not require a visit to the doctor's office. To relieve the itchiness, you can apply a cool compress or use calamine lotion (except around the child's eyes or genitals). Always call our office before using any other treatments such as creams or lotions containing antihistamines or any home remedies.

Spitting up is fairly common in infants and is usually temporary. It occurs when the contents of the stomach (food and acid) move upward into the esophagus. If the reflux occurs often and is prolonged, it can cause heartburn pain, respiratory symptoms or other problems. Make sure to burp your child well and keep upright for 20-30 minutes after each feeding. While some websites may recommend "thickening" of formula with cereal, you should consult with the pediatrician before doing so or before giving your child any over the counter medications.

Ear infections commonly occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed and causes fluid buildup behind the ear drum. A younger child who is non-verbal might cry and tug/pull at their ears. A verbal child might complain of ear pain. The crying might get worse when lying down, they may have trouble sleeping, have a fever or may have fluid coming out of their ears. Call our office to schedule an appointment to have your child evaluated.

Pink eye is an infection where the white of the child's eye and the lower lid becomes red. The inflammation can be painful, itchy and usually signals an infection. These symptoms can also be caused by allergens. Cool compresses can help with the swelling and irritation caused by allergens. The condition is very contagious so be sure to wash your hands before and after contact. The condition can last 7-10 days so be sure to call our office as soon as possible to have your child evaluated and treated if needed.

Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac is an allergic reaction to exposure to the oils on these plants. The reaction causes a rash anywhere from several hours to three days after coming in contact with the oils. The rash is blistery and itchy. The rash is further spread by the remaining oils under the fingernails or on clothing. The best approach is prevention. Know what the plants look like and teach your child to avoid them when outdoors. If contact should occur, make sure to wash all clothing and shoes in soap and water. Wash the area of skin with soap and water to be sure to remove all the oils. If the rash is mild, you can apply calamine lotion 3-4 times a day to decrease itching. You can apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to decrease inflammation. If the rash is severe or extensive, you should contact our office and have your child evaluated. Also, call our office if there are severe eruptions, signs of infection such as blisters with oozing, rash spreads to face or if fever occurs

Strep throat is caused by specific bacteria called Streptococcus. Strep causes inflammation of the tonsils and the surrounding area. Some viruses can also cause symptoms such as a sore throat. In infants and toddlers, the most frequent cause of sore throat is a viral infection. Call our office and have your child evaluated by one of our providers if they have a sore throat, especially if accompanied by fever, headache, stomachache, nausea or vomiting.

Teething can start anywhere from 4-7 months but all children develop individually. Teething can cause mild irritability and possibly a low grade fever. It also includes excessive drooling and desire to chew on something hard. To ease the discomfort, you may gently rub your child's gums with your finger (be sure to wash your hands prior) or provide a cold teething ring. Frozen rings can get too hard and can also be uncomfortable to hold. You should not use any over the counter medications that contain a numbing agent as they can also numb your child's throat and may cause choking. You should always call our office and talk to the nursing staff before giving your child any medication you have not yet discussed with the doctor or if you have any questions about medications your doctor has recommended.

Head lice are insects that are tiny, pale and gray in appearance. They feed on tiny amounts of blood from the scalp. The eggs are called nits. Nits attach to the hair shaft with a sticky substance. Once the eggs hatch, the empty nits remain attached to the hair. Anyone can get head lice and it is most common in pre-school and elementary school children. It is not a matter of cleanliness. A clean head will not keep children from getting and sharing lice. Head lice are crawling insects. They do not jump, hop or fly. Exposure and sharing occurs with head to head contact. Itching is the most common symptom of lice but it can take up to 4 weeks from exposure before the itching begins. Check your child's hair in a brightly lit room. Part the hair and look at your child's scalp. Nits will look like small white or yellowish specs on the hair. Lice are hard to spot as they move quickly away from the light. While nits can look like dandruff or hair product, these will not be attached to the hair shaft like the nits. Age appropriate over the counter remedies is recommended. Hair lice treatment should not be used as a preventative method and only used if your child truly has lice. Also, all exposed surfaces must also be treated. This includes washing all bedding in hot water, placing stuffed animals in sealed plastic bags for 2 weeks and treating any upholstered furniture your child may have come in contact with.